Subject Verb Agreement
Basic Rule
• Singular subject takes a singular verb.
&
• Plural subjects take a plural verb.
A man is sitting there.
Two men are sitting there.
Rule 1
• Two subjects joined by ‘and’ take a plural verb.
Rahim and Karim _______ playing football.
(is/are)
Rule 1 (Exception)
• If two subjects joined by ‘and’ denote to the same meaning/subject the verb is singular.
The horse and carriage __is___ ready at the door.
Time and tide __waits___ for none.
Difference?
• The novelist and the poet are present.
• The novelist and poet is present.
Rule 2
• If each/every/no one/one/ anyone/someone etc. are in the subject the verb is always
singular.
Each boy and each girl is given a ticket.
Nobody loves a liar.
Rule 3
• If some/many/few/both/several/all etc. are in the subject the verb is always plural.
All of my friends are coming.
Few students are tired.
Rule 4
• Either … or…
• Neither … nor…
• Not only… but also…
• ….or…
• …nor…
• They always take two subjects.
• The verb follows the
subject sitting nearer to it.
Rule 4 (Example)
• Neither Rahim nor his brothers are present here.
• Neither Rahim nor his brother is present here.
• Neither Rahim’s brothers nor Rahim himself is present here.
• Neither Rahim’s brother nor Rahim himself is present here.
Rule 5
• Single ‘Gerund’ takes a single verb.
Watching cartoon is a fun.
Rising early is good for health.
Reading newspaper is good for general knowledge.
Rule 5 (Quiz)
Swimming and running _______ good for health. (is/are)
Rule 6
• A collective noun takes a singular verb.
• Rahim Man Army
• Mohesh Cow Herd
• Mr. Rahim Man Jury
Rule 6 (Example)
The team is working on the field.
This class is very attentive.
Rule 6 (Exception)
The jury has given its verdict.
The jury are divided among their opinion.
Rule 7
• Name of a single poem/book/film/novel/song etc. takes a single verb.
3 Idiots is my favorite film.
Romeo and Juliet is a good drama.
Rule 8
• The singular verb form is usually used for units of measurement or time.
Four quarts of oil was required to get the car running.
Rule 9
• A mistake: Don’t get confused about the subject.
The quality of the mangoes is not good.
The women who went to the market are very happy.
Rule 10
• For following kinds of sentences the object of preposition decides the verb forms.
Half of the mangoes are rotten.
Half of the mango is here on the plate.
Rule 11
• For introductory ‘There’ the subject is available right after the verb.
There is a book on the desk.
There are two books on the desk.
